‘The Office:’ Love triangle good, episode bad

“Back From Vacation” was absolutely brilliant in advancing the Jim, Pam and Karen love triangle. Last we saw Jim, he was giving Michael some advice about chicks, when he was really giving it to himself, too. About how the rebound girl makes you realize how much you really care about the ex-girlfriend. He was trying to soothe Michael’s heartache over Carol. Then he realizes he still loves Pam. That’s why — while at first, he didn’t want to participate in the Dwight/C.I.A. prank — he changed his mind, because nobody in the world would know such a Christmas present would give Jim that much joy other than Pam.

How tough is it to do what Pam did in this episode? Most people wouldn’t talk to the person they’re in love with about the competition. It would have been easy for Pam to just leave the room, give Jim the silent protest, start playing games. Or just give him bad advice. Instead, staying true to their friendship, because that’s what they had first, she listens and offers good advice. What a brilliant turnaround! All of the first and second seasons, that’s all Jim was doing, was being there for Pam, in matters that often involved Roy. It puts in perspective the kind of hell Jim has been going through all this time — being a friend to the person you love.

I’m not saying these characters are perfect. They are human. In “Booze Cruise,” Jim looked completely defeated when Roy set a date for the wedding. They have played their games, like in “The Fire,” when Jim’s girlfriend shows up and Pam kisses Roy in the middle of the parking lot. But they’re there for each other when it really counts.

The scene when Pam is balling was really good stuff. She’s balling, all she wants for Jim is happiness, blah, blah, blah, even if it can’t be with her, blah, blah, blah, she’s sacrificing herself for his happiness, blah, blah, blah, and then Dwight shows up. “Who did this to you? Who is he?” I didn’t know if he was serious. I got flashbacks to “The Injury,” when Dwight gets a concussion and all of a sudden becomes Pam’s best friend. I figured Pam didn’t care why Dwight thought he was consoling her, she just wanted a warm body there to comfort her.

As predictable as the ending is, the way they’re getting there is leaving me satisfied. (That’s what she said.) Will Pam hang on, and wait for Jim to come around? Or will she move on, find some guy, and then, by some fate, one night, when they’re both trapped in the elevator because Michael accidentally cut off the power because who cares why, they realize they belong together?

About the episode as a whole

First, I can’t say enough about how good Ed Helms is as Andy. Punch line’s on this show don’t get much better than, “I am now chopping off Phyllis’ head with a chainsaw.” I love that formula for a joke, when everybody in the group gets what’s going on except one person. They used it in “The Fire,” when everybody’s playing “Who Would You Do.” To make sure the subject matter stayed light and fun, Jim said he’d do Kevin. Michael blurts, “I would totally have sex with Ryan.”

Moving on. The show is indeed “Back From Vacation,” but the show may have stayed baking in the sun a little too long. Where was Dwight in this episode? The real Dwight. Why hasn’t Ryan spoke in two or three episodes? Where was Creed? Parker made a brief, vocal appearance. I simply love that character. But … Where did Oscar go? What’s happening to this show?

“The Merger,” a whole three episodes ago, was the last time Dwight was really Dwight. Dwight needs to talk. The more he talks, the funnier he gets. We haven’t seen a lot of talking out of Dwight. He had the moment with Pam. In the second season it seemed like in every episode, Dwight was doing something. Whether it was related to the Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Department, or his ongoing feud with Jim, or his unique courtship of Angela, something was going on. He’s had his moments this season. “The Coup” was classic Dwight. I loved his interaction with Andy in “The Merger.” As an episode highlighting Dwight’s quirkiness, “Initiation” is wonderful. He hasn’t done or said much in a long time.

And to B.J. Novak, I know you’re one of the creators of the show, but will you throw Ryan a bone? I don’t know if you’re being the modest writer or what, but Ryan is one of the funniest characters in the show.

The beauty of the show is the way it manages its many characters all while advancing the broader storylines. The writers will present a situation, say “Health Care.” And everybody chimes in. Stuff happens. Everybody gets face time. And squeezed in there are little scenes sculpting the Pam and Jim relationship or Michael and Jan and Carol. To me, that is “The Office” at its best. Not seeing a whole lot of Dwight being Dwight, Creed, Ryan, Kelly, etc., in a while concerns me.